The Mount Holyoke News

Issue date: 12/10/09 Section: Features

I first met Dawnell Powell in my Educational Psychology class sophomore year, and there was instant chemistry! Dawnell is simply one of the coolest women I have had the pleasure to know here at Mount Holyoke. Originally from New York City (Queens), Dawnell is a dynamic individual who has left her mark in many communities. As a Psychology and Education major, Dawnell is also working towards her elementary teaching licensure and will be student teaching next semester.

She has been a four-year-member of the Association of Pan African Unity (APAU). Dawnell works Thursday nights at Kendall and is a Harriet Newhall Fellow for the Office of Admissions, where she interviews prospective students and helps run admission events. However, what is perhaps even more impressive about Dawnell is that she is enthusiastic about working with urban youth.

Her interest in empowering youth surfaced when she worked for a program called Let’s Get Ready, which aims to help prepare high school students to take the SAT for college. She worked first as a reading, writing, and math coach in Brooklyn, New York two summers ago. She enjoyed her work so much that she was able to help bring the program to Holyoke last year. She co-directed the program and revealed, “It was just so great to be a college student and have the ability to directly impact high school students. It was rewarding to give advice to these students about a process that I just went through not too long ago.”

After graduation this spring, Dawnell sees herself going into teaching. “I am passionate about urban public education.” She is considering working with Teach for America, as well as looking into teaching at an all-girls elementary school, possibly in New York. Additionally, she hopes to continue her work with college access programs for youth wherever her endeavors take her next.

Dawnell revealed that some of her favorite moments here at Mount Holyoke have occurred with her close friends while studying. “It’s those informal and crazy moments which aren’t planned with my friends that are the most fun and memorable for me,” said Dawnell. When asked what the best part about being a senior this year was, Dawnell said that being a senior has let her find her element here at school. “I’m so comfortable here on campus. I have close relationships with professors and friends.”

Dawnell has found her path. She told me that while she had been fortunate enough to take part in many activities already, she still has more she wants to accomplish. One of those things is learning how to sew. In fact, when asked to divulge a random fact about herself, she laughingly admitted, “I just bought myself a Hello Kitty sewing machine so that I can learn how to sew during J-term.” If her soon-to-be acquired sewing skills are anything like her academic, social, and professional work, she will undoubtedly have no problem picking up this new pursuit.

If Dawnell could pillow talk with anyone on campus, it would be with any of the alumnae who visit Mount Holyoke. “I would love to hear their stories about their time spent on campus,” said Dawnell. Interesting indeed, and much like the alumnae of Mount Holyoke, Dawnell, too, is a bold, engaging, and stunning senior who has marvelous adventures of her own to share. You may never know just how much those impromptu moments that occur while studying with friends – or learning how to sew with that pillow-talking someone – may influence your precious time here at Mount Holyoke.

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